10 snapshots into life as a volunteer doctor in Uganda
Hi, I’m Dr Lierka Rodriguez. I am a volunteer obstetrician and gynaecologist working in rural Uganda. I recently shared my experiences as a volunteer on VSO's dedicated Twitter channel - @VSOPeople. Here are some of my favourite updates:
1. Walking through the dusty streets of Gulu
Lierka Rodriguez
Welcome to Gulu, a city in northern Uganda. I’m based in Gulu’s Regional Referral Hospital. There are only two seasons - right now we are “enjoying" the hot season.
2. Arriving at the hospital to find my students already practising without me
Lierka Rodriguez
What a pleasant feeling!
3. Neonatal care and resuscitation training time
Lierka Rodriguez
Our interns really enjoy the practical training, especially with the dolls.
4. Still hard at work at 1am!
Lierka Rodriguez
Diary of a volunteer: This is non-stop work, but I enjoy every minute.
5. New day, new people to train
Lierka Rodriguez
Heading to out for more ultrasound training in Awach. If we diagnose a woman early, using the ultrasound machines, it can help to prevent an emergency.
6. Real time demonstrations work best
Real time representation are always welcome when is a health training about. "sharing knowledge, saving lives" #vso #uganda #GRRH pic.twitter.com/HWCbzyH2OD
— VSO People (@VSOPeople) January 9, 2018
This is what health training is all about – sharing knowledge, saving lives.
7. Using my imagination to teach interns during a power cut
Sometimes you have to use your imagination when electricity is not working as usual. This is the @VSO_Intl GULU team working #FridayFeeling #Uganda #volunteers @PhilipVSO pic.twitter.com/NZesDLF8v3
— VSO People (@VSOPeople) January 19, 2018
Sometimes I have to get creative – last time we practiced different surgeries on pork, because pork is similar to human flesh. They laugh but we are reaching our goals!
8. Even on a Saturday I’m still working
I know is #saturday but health never stops. As a worker you have an schedule but as a volunteer you have a porpoise and as a @VSO_Intl #Health #volunteer your porpoise is to preserve people's lives so here I am #SaturdaySensation @PhilipVSO pic.twitter.com/eusIDE2lJg
— VSO People (@VSOPeople) January 20, 2018
As a worker you have a schedule, but as a volunteer you have a purpose. As a VSO health volunteer, my purpose is to preserve people’s lives – so here I am!
9. Being stopped on the street to meet a baby I helped bring into the world
Lierka Rodriguez
Every time a baby is born, it’s a miracle, and working in this field you get to be in the presence of that miracle.
10. Saying goodbye to one group of interns, ready to meet the next!
Lierka Rodriguez
I can already see the change in these interns- when you work as a team you can reach any goal. Good luck guys.
Volunteers make it possible to give training for crucial care in Uganda, by sharing their skills and their time. I hope you enjoyed seeing what life is like as a VSO volunteer in Uganda, thanks for joining me on my journey!